Elizabeth Sheehan
Country Executive, 30% Club Ireland
Gender-balanced STEM leadership drives innovation and long-term success, but caring responsibilities remain a key barrier to progression. Addressing this is essential for retaining and empowering top talent.
Gender balance fuels innovation
In science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), the most creative ideas and long-term solutions often come from teams that are diverse teams, not just in skills, but in gender. When teams include different perspectives, they tend to make better decisions, solve problems in new ways and create stronger outcomes. That said, in many organisations, especially at senior levels where important decisions are made, gender balance still hasn’t been achieved.
Care is a business issue
One key reason more women don’t reach senior roles in STEM is the challenge of balancing work and care. Our recent report, ‘Breaking Glass Walls – A New Shape on Modern Organisations,’ shows us that care, whether it’s childcare, eldercare or self-care, is not just a personal concern; it’s a structural business issue that affects how organisations grow and succeed. The findings reveal that 37% of employees with caring responsibilities say this makes senior jobs feel out of reach. For women, that number rises to 41%.
To make real progress, companies need to support everyone who has caring responsibilities, regardless of gender or career stage. That means not just offering flexible working or parental leave, but making sure these supports are normalised, expected and encouraged for all employees. When care is shared, career progression can be too.
Businesses that support inclusion and care
will keep their best talent, stay competitive
and lead the way in STEM innovation.
The future of STEM depends on inclusion
The conversation around gender equity in STEM is evolving — as it must. It’s no longer just about fairness; it’s about trust, accessibility and long-term success. Gender balance isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a real advantage in a fast-changing world.
Businesses that support inclusion and care will keep their best talent, stay competitive and lead the way in STEM innovation. This is not about revisiting old challenges; it’s about enabling a future where STEM talent, at every level, is supported to succeed. The companies that act now won’t just adapt — they’ll lead.
For more information, visit: https://30percentclub.org/chapters/ireland/
